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Chapter 03

From his perch across Hermione's shoulders, Sarmad directed them to the meeting place, sliding to the ground when they reached their destination. As they stepped into the clearing, Hermione was somewhat surprised at the sight greeting her. Five people appeared to be stuck in place, much as Snape had been, though they were standing instead of sitting. Harry stood next to Luna Lovegood, and they were guarded by a large male lion. Ron stood with Megan Rothschild, the young Muggle Studies professor; a badger sat at their feet. Only Ginny appeared to be alone, with a golden eagle perching on the stump beside her. Hermione guessed that Draco was nearby, disillusioned like his Head of House.

"Oi! Hermione!" Ron shouted as she approached. "I thought you went to the library…do you know what's going on? We followed some weird talking animals up here, and now we can't move. Can you get us free?"

All three of the animals in the clearing turned to see her approach. Snape was close enough that he heard her delighted gasp when she finally got a good look at them. She broke out into a radiant smile.

"Garron! Reya! Hazel! You're all here!" she laughed as she ran to them, and was soon buried in a tangle of fur, claws, and feathers. Having greeted her no less affectionately (though in private), Sarmad remained near Severus.

All of the people on the hilltop were looking at Hermione like she'd grown a second head.

"How come you can move?" asked Ron indignantly.

"Indeed! I don't suppose you'd like to explain this, Miss Granger?" asked a very put-out Megan Rothschild.

"I apologize, Professor," Hermione said with a blush as she stood and straightened her robes. "But I think the ones who brought us here would be more qualified."

"Well said, child," Hazel murmured. Raising her voice, she addressed the group. "Let us start at the beginning, shall we?"

"We are the Blazons of Hogwarts," Reya stated as she resumed her perch near Ginny. "At one time, we were each familiars of the Founders. After their death, they left us as guardians of the school. It is our duty to ensure the safety of Hogwarts and its students."

"Usually, very few members of even our own Houses ever see us as anything more than an image on the House banners; each new Headmaster is made aware of our existence, but interactions are few and far between," Hazel continued.

"But what about Hermione?" Ginny asked, eying her friend curiously. "How does she know all of you?"

Garron butted her shoulder affectionately as she blushed. "From the day she was born, this one has been special. We all spent time with her when she was a young cub."

At the puzzled looks, Hermione tried to explain. "They would come and play with me when I was little, before I knew I was a witch. Nobody could see them but me, and my parents just thought they were my 'imaginary friends'. Once I got my Hogwarts letter, I didn't see them anymore."

Sarmad had approached her from behind, and now coiled himself around her, causing Reya to ruffle her feathers in annoyance. Harry shuddered at the sight of the snake twining around his friend.

"Sssurely, child, it did not fail to essscape your notice that your playmatesss were the ssschool Blazonsss," he asked.

Hermione looked stricken.

"Stop teasing her, Sarmad," Reya commanded. "You know as well as I that we altered her memories…her time with us was hidden away, dimmed until she came of age. We didn't want her Sorting to be influenced."

"Ruddy Hat," Hazel muttered. Garron snorted.

"As I was saying," Hazel continued. "You have all been brought together today for a reason. One of the abilities granted to us by the Founders was to know the fate of Hogwarts. It will be the site of the Final Battle. As of now, if nothing is done Hogwarts will fall…and with it, the rest of the Wizarding world."

Professor Rothschild scoffed. "Aren't you being just a bit melodramatic? I mean really…Hogwarts isn't the center of the universe! It's just a school."

"Do not underestimate the importance of this school, little girl," Garron said sharply. "Hogwarts has never been 'just' anything!"

Hazel glared at the chastised woman before continuing. "If Hogwarts falls, then we are all doomed." She smirked. "Fortunately for everyone, we have no intention of sitting idly by while everything goes to pot. That's where you come in."

Here, Reya picked up the explanation. "Each one of you has proven yourself, in some way or another, to be of great importance in the upcoming war. You were each chosen by the Blazon that best fits your true self, as you are now. If you agree to accept them, you will be granted the full powers of your House, and together will turn the tide of the War."

"Well, that's simple then," Harry said. "Of course we'll accept."

"Just a minute," Luna interrupted, all traces of vagueness gone. "Nothing is ever that simple, Harry." Her eyes narrowed as she eyed the badger and eagle suspiciously. "What's the catch?"

Sarmad laughed. "Very good, youngling. Power alwaysss comesss with a price."

Hazel sighed. "There is a reason you were Chosen in pairs. House Magic cannot be held by a single witch or wizard alone. The Founders themselves only had access to part of it."

"Though it was never written about, the Founders met one last time, when each was near death…it was determined then that only those chosen by the Blazons and bound Cuore e Mente will wield the full powers of their House. And you will need them all," Garron said firmly.

There was a stunned silence for a moment, then more than half of the group exploded.

"What?" Ron demanded, looking furious. "Are you serious?!"

Luna looked appalled, as did Ginny and Professor Rothschild. Even Snape, behind the charm, paled. Harry just looked confused. Only Hermione was calm and seemingly unsurprised by this revelation.

"I'm not sure I understand," Harry said. "Bound?"

"It's like married," Ron explained. "Only forever. Most couples nowadays have a regular ceremony and aren't Bound. If they do, it's usually a Cuore in Cuore binding…heart-to-heart. You almost never see the Cuore e Mente binding anymore."

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"Because Harry," Hermione answered serenely, "the Cuore e Mente binds not only your hearts together, but your souls as well. It's the deepest kind of commitment two people can make. You're never alone, because your soulmate is always there with you, inside you. They share in your joys, sorrows, and between you, the burdens of your lives are shared and lessened. But if one person in the binding dies, so does the other. The reason it's not done much anymore is that not only is it risky, but it requires absolute trust between the two people. In the instant of the binding, all of your secrets are revealed to the other person."

Harry blinked and looked at the Blazons, who sat regarding their charges soberly.

"What about Hermione and Ginny, then? Who are their partners?"

Hermione and Ginny eyed each other and nodded. Both whispered Finite Incantatem, revealing Draco and Snape. It was a testament to the Blazon's attentiveness that not one of the other four other humans on the hill were able to do more than howl for blood; no one managed to twitch enough to swat a fly, much less draw a wand.

Ignoring the others, Ginny looked squarely at Draco. A silent conversation seemed to ensue.

"Ferret?" she said questioningly, holding out her hand.

Draco looked at her for a long minute, then nodded mutely and placed his hand in hers. Resolute, the two turned back to Reya.

"We accept," Ginny said simply.

A/N: Sorry this chapter came out later than expected! I got wrapped up in midterms and work…ugh. I am still flying without my beta (I'm in the process of trying to find her), so any mistakes are all mine. Hope everyone's enjoying the story so far…I'd love to hear what you think!